Guided by the remarkable legacy of our founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition, and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe and in the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

As we continue to grow and impact lives, we are seeking a dynamic and visionary Managing Director to provide strategic leadership to our portfolio of programs and projects in East and Southern Africa and Asia. The Managing Director is an executivelevel leader who is responsible for overseeing the overall operations and strategic direction of Helen Keller’s operations in the assigned regions. This includes developing and executing long-term business plans, ensuring growth targets are met; ensuring the organization meets its financial, operational, and implementation goals; and maintaining strong relationships of influence. The Managing Director leads a senior management team, fosters a positive organizational culture, and drives business development efforts and expand program quality and impact. S/he strengthens relationships, advocacy and influence of Helen Keller throughout the region and oversees meaningful contribution of the region to organizational learning and evidence targets.

Additionally, the Managing Director is accountable for financial oversight, resource allocation, and risk management for his or her country business unit(s). S/he maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as other departments, executive leaders, funders, clients, governments, and colleagues. Guided by Helen Keller’s core values of Compassion, Courage, Integrity and Rigor, the Managing Director promotes an organizational culture of mutual respect with a thoughtful talent management environment and a commitment to fairness and belonging. The role requires strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills to ensure Helen Keller’s success and the growth of its influence and impact in a competitive marketplace. The Managing Director, together with other leaders, will also build organization-wide commitment to employee engagement and a high-performing culture.

Functional Relationships

The Managing Director reports to the President & CEO and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. The Managing Director will partner with the Executive Leadership Team to align the operations of his or her business unit with organizational goals and collaborate with others to ensure a robust and dynamic portfolio of activities that generate meaningful change in the lives of people, as well as build a reputation of excellence for Helen Keller. S/he supervises country leaders to ensure that our global approach to generating impact, and the employee experience positions Helen Keller as a leader among international non-profits.

The Managing Director is a key partner to shape, sell and deliver on Helen Keller’s core programs of Eye Health, Neglected Tropical Diseases and Nutrition. Central to their role is informing, influencing and implementing effective organizational policies and systems in consistent, agile ways using data-based decision-making and processes with clear decision making. S/he will work closely with the Executive Vice President, Program & Partnerships and the leaders in the Center for Program Quality and Strategic Partnerships to deliver on these aims.

The Managing Director will lead and mentor a dedicated team of Country Directors and a team of technical professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and mutual support. S/he will lead direct reports and/or shared staff to deliver technical advice and support and the operational backbone of the region in financial management, human resources, safeguarding, legal and compliance matters, risk management, business development, and excellence in program delivery. They will build and maintain relationships with external experts and governments to position Helen Keller to effectively implement high-quality programs, best practices, and innovations. The Managing Director will occasionally give presentations externally or to the Board of Trustees to garner advice, support and resources for their portfolio or the organization as a whole.